Article banding method



March 6, 1962 W. J. HLAVACEK ETAL 3,023,554

ARTICLE BANDING METHOD Filed Jan. 24, 1958 3,923,554 ARTICLE BANDKNGMETHGD William J. Hlavacek, flak Park, and Warren E. Fleming,

Merrionette Park, ill, assignors to Tee-Pair, inc, Chicage, ill, acorporation of Illineis Filed .lan. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 710,913 14Claims. in. 53-3 The present invention relates to packaging, andparticularly to the banding of articles, either a single item or anumber of items, by means of dry bands of regenerated cellulose forconvenient merchandising of the articles.

Package identity is a factor of utmost importance in todays market.Manufacturers strive to attain a distinctive unit package or containerfor their goods and to establish in the minds of the purchasing publican identity between the package, the goods and the manufacturer. At thesame time, the manufacturer desires to gain the benefit of volume salesas afforded by special promotions and multiple packaging, for example bya common pack of a plurality of identical package units, a common packof different units of a related character and a common pack of one ormore units and a premium. These two merchandising objects have generallybeen at odds with one another. On the one hand, if the items are to beeftectively consolidated into one pack with reasonable safeguardsagainst disassociation, breaking of the pack and pilfering of premiums,it has been necessary to adopt a packaging device that covered the unitpackage or other wise obliterated its identity. If, on the other hand,package identity were to be preserved, the means available for multiplepackaging have been tedious and expensive to apply and have afiordedlittle if any safeguards in the respects noted.

For example, cardboard boxes, packing sleeves, and the like mustnecessarily encompass substantially the entirety of the item, thusdestroying or substantially diminishing package identity and preventingoptimum display of the items, premiums, etc, Adhesive bands and the likeare expensive, difficult to apply and do not afford reasonable assuranceagainst breaking and pilferage. Rubber and resilient plastic bands, dueto their immediate return after stretching, are also difiicult to applyon a produc tion basis and fail, due to their resiliency, to safeguardto a reasonable extent the multiply package items.

It has also previously been proposed to shrink cellulose bands of thetype normally employed as casings for skinless frankfurters and sausagesonto multi-packs in a manner somewhat analogous to the use of thismaterial in the meat industry; specifically, by first wetting the bands,slipping them over the items to be consolidated and subsequently dryingthe bands to cause them to shrink onto the consolidated pack. It wasbelieved that this would result in a firmly banded multiple package andthat the cellulose band would in no way detract from or diminish unitpackage identity. However, this proposal has proved impractical for anumber of reasons. First, if the bands or sleeves were to be shrunk, itwas deemed essential within the skill of the art to wet or soak thebands immediately prior to application to the articles. This immediatelyrestricted use of the proposal to products and packages that would notbe damaged by moisture. Second, the proposal presented severe productionproblems relative to soaking of the sleeves which were required to besoaked in glycerine and water for about twenty minutes, handling of thewet sleeves and accommodation on the production line of suflicient timeand/ or means for curing or drying of the sleeves. Third, the amountthat any given sleeve or band would shrink after wetting could not beprognosticated with any reasonable degree of accuracy, with theconsequence that there was little if any certainty that the sleeve wouldperform its intended function. In some cases, the sleeves or hands wouldnot shrink enough or exert sufficient tension when dry to hold thebanded items together. In other cases, where fragile or crushable itemswere to be handed, the shrinkage was excessive with consequent damage tothe goods. Accordingly, the proposal was not a solution to the problemof multiple packaging.

The object of the present invention is to. provide an improved methodwhereby regenerated cellulose sleeves or bands can be employed withabsolute surety in solution of the multiple packaging problem and othersimilar problems without loss or diminution of unit package identity.

More specifically, the invention has for its object the application ofcellulose products, especially tubes or bands of dry regeneratedcellulose, to packaging problems, which application completelyeliminates the disadvantages of the prior proposals in the art.

The invention, in brief, constitutes the discovery, and is a practicalapplication of the discovery, that regenerated cellulose bands orsleeves have the unexpected characteristic that they can be stretchedwhile dry to a certain extent without breaking and that the dry bandshave, when released, a slow or delayed return at least partially towardtheir initial diameter; in other words, that dry regenerated cellulosebands have a delayed action partial memory. Specifially, the inventionresides in the discovery or dis coveries that dry regenerated cellulosebands can be stretched as much as 50% so that their stretched diameteror circumference is as much as of their initial or manufactured diameteror circumference, that they will, when released, return or shrink slowlyin a delayed manner by at least one-half the amount of stretch and thatthe amount of shrinkage, or more properly the amount of pressure thatthe band can exert on the item or items to be banded, and the rate atwhich shrinking occurs can be varied by varying the thickness of thematerial and the amount and duration of stretch.

Bearing these factors in mind, an object of the invention is theprovision of an improved method of handing comprising the steps ofstretching a dry regenerated cellulose band from an initialcircumference that is less than the circumference of the article to bebanded, or less than the consolidated circumference of the several itemsthat are to be banded together, to a circumference that is greater thanthe latter circumference, releasing the band for positioning about thearticle, and accommodating relatively slow contraction of the band ontothe article, all with a dry band.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved methodof handing as above defined wherein the band is stretched no more thanabout 50% of its initial circumference and the amount of stretch is nomore than about twice the difference between the initial circnmferenceof the band and the circumference or consolidated circumference of theitem or items to be handed, i.e., the banding circumference.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedmethod of handing as above defined wherein the pressure to be exerted bythe band on the article is varied in inverse relation to the amount ofstretch and the duration of the stretching cycle prior to release of theband, and/or in direct relation to the thickness of the band.

The invention also has the additional objects and advantages ofimproving the quality of the band and its resistance to failure due tonicking and puncturing by virtue of what is believed to be a molecularreorientation occurring during stretching of the band while dry; offacilitating banding of articles by virtue of the bands slow or delayedreturn so that the band can be stretched and released to drop down overthe article without the (B necessity of moving the stretching fingersaround the article; of accommodating exceptionally high production ratesin a minimum spaceup to sixty cycles per minute for a single stretchinghead; of accurately controlling the amount of pressure applied to thearticle; of accommodating banding of substantially any item or items; ofenhancing unit package identity and multiple package mechandising by useof entirely transparent bands, transluscent bands, bands that are inpart transparent or transluscent and in part printed or colored, andbands that are printed and/or colored (in up to five colors); ofretaining package identity both before and after the band is removed;and of facilitating conversion of special promotion merchandise back toregular merchandise after a promotion.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsof the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofpracticing the method of the invention, there is set forth in thefollowing detailed description, as taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, a full line disclosure of the preferred manners ofpracticing the method and certain exemplary packages result ing fromsuch practice.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a graph representing generally the response phenomena of dryregenerated cellulose bands to stretching and release;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of two cans, such as two one-gallon paintcans, banded together in stacked relation according to the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of two fragile or crushable items, suchas a box of crackers and a glass of cheese spread, banded togetheraccording to the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of three items banded together in side byside relation with separating means between adjacent items and withhandles provided on the separating means for carrying the three items asa common article when banded together according to the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of two cans of the type having aprotruding bead at their ends banded together according to the presentinvention with the beads thereof in abutting engagement, together with acarrying handle for the multiple package comprising a cardboard memberhaving a portion confined between the two cans and having a slot thereinthrough which the beads of the cans extend firmly to retain the handlein association with the banded cans.

With reference to FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing, it is to beunderstood that the same are simply illustrative of the wide variety ofpackages that may be formed according to the present invention, and ofthe wide variety of articles that may be handed according to theinvention, the articles ranging from light to heavy and from fragile tostrong, and requiring a banding pressure from slight to great, all withpreservation of unit package identity. While all of the packagesillustrated are multiple packages, it will be apparent that individualitems may also be banded in accordance With the invention.

In passing, it is observed that each article to be handed has what isherein termed a banding circumference, that is, the overallcircumference of the item, or of the several items of a multiplepackage, at the point of banding as the item is prepared for packaging,or as the several items are assembled or consolidated in a multiplepackage. For example, the stacked cans of FIGURE 2 have a bandingcircumference equal to the circumference of one can, and the side byside arrangement of three cans of equal diameter illustrated in FIGURE 4has a banding or consolidated circumference equal to the circumferenceof one can plus four times the diameter of one can plus four times thethickness of the separating strip.

Also, since the invention is diercted to both single and multiplearticle packaging or handing, the term article and article banding asemployed herein include both a single item and a group of itemsconsolidated for banding in a multipack.

In practicing the present invention, the bands employed are formed ofregenerated cellulose or cellulosic fibers impregnated with and heldtogether by regenerated celllulose. The bands are suitably cut to thedesired width from seamless tubular stock produced in the mannercustomary for the manufacture of regenerated cellulose sausage casingsand fibrous sausage casings, respectively.

The regenerated cellulose tubing which is used for sausage casing is awell known commodity and is formed, briefly, by extruding viscosethrough an annular orifice, subjecting it to coagulating andregenerating baths, washing the tube in water and then treating it witha hygroscopic agent, followed by drying. The method is described in U.S.Patent No. 1,612,508, issued December 28, 1926 to Henderson and Dietrichand is referred to in numerous patents, for example, US. No. 1,937,225,issued November 28, 1933 to Alfred Hewitt.

Fibrous casing is likewise a well known commodity and may be formed inaccordance with the technique described in U.S. Patent No. 2,045,349,issued June 23, 1936, to Goodman. Briefly, according to this technique acellulosic fibrous sheet is formed into a tube in any suitable way, asfor instance, by slipping the fibrous sheet over a hollow mandrel, andthen immersing the mandrel and contents into a viscose solution,followed by regeneration, washing, impregnation with hgroscopic agentsand drying.

The hygroscopic agents employed may suitably be taken from the classconsisting of glycerin, the glycols and the like, and may suitably beapplied to the tubular stock, prior to cutting the stock into hands, byrunning the stock through a liquid bath of the hygroscopic 0rplasticizing agent, followed by drying. According to the presentinvention, the stock and the bands out therefrom preferably have aplasticizer content of about 2025% and a moisture content of at least6%, preferably 10% or more. The indicated plasticizer and moisturecontents of the stock are adopted to avoid brittleness, excessive dryingand shattering of the bands. Such contents also facilitate cutting ofbands from the tubular stock since they mitigate against shattering ofthe stock and nicking of the band edges. In cutting bands from thestock, the cutting blades should be maintained in properly sharpenedcondition as a further precaution against nicking. As will presentlyappear, practice of the method of the invention will increase theresistance of the band to shear due to nicking, but care should beexercized to avoid nicking of the band edges prior to stretching, assuch nicking would result in a high incidence of band breakage duringthe stretching step.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the general stretch-shrink phenomena of dryregenerated cellulose bands, constituted as described, and the effect ofduration of stretch on the amount of shrink are graphically representedtherein. In the graph, the abscissa is graduated in time in seconds andthe ordinate in circumferential distance. The point a therein representsthe initial or manufactured circumference of a dry cellulose band, theline a--b illustrates a relatively rapid or fast stretch of the band,the curve b-d represents the shrink occurring after such fast stretch,the line ac illustrates a relatively slow stretch, the lines r1bcillustrate a fast stretch coupled with a holding period at thetermination of stretch which equals in duration the slow stretch ac, andthe curve ce represents the shrink occurring after either the slowstretch ac or the held or delayed stretch abc.

This graphic representation directly illustrates, first, that the shrinkor return occurring after stretch of a dry regenerated cellulose band isslow or delayed, second, that there is an initial slow return followedby a period of still slower return, third, that the amount of return isgreater than 50% of the amount of stretch, fourth, that the amount andrate of return are inversely related to the duration of the stretchingcycle, and fifth, that the duration of the stretching cycle may bevaried either by varying the rate of stretch or providing a delay timebe tween the completion of stretching and the time of release withoutappreciably varying the resultant return or shrink curve for a givenduration of stretch. Through innumerable tests these basiccharacteristics have proven consistent for dry regenerated cellulosebands of varying diameters, thicknesses and widths, and for varyingamounts of stretch.

While not revealed by the representation of FIGURE 1, other criteria inthe stretch-shrink characteristics of dry regenerated cellulose bandsare that the bands can be stretched to as high as 150% of their initialor manufactured circumference without breaking and without exceedingtheir elastic limit, and that the proportional amount of return orshrink of the bands is directly related to their thickness. For purposesof the specific application of these phenomena as provided by thepresent invention, the'important characteristics may be enumerated as(l) stretching of the band up to 150% of its initial circumference, (2)delayed or slow return or shrinking of the band, (3) return or shrinkingof the band by more than half the amount of stretch, and (4) control ofthe" degree of band return or shrinking by variation of band thickness,the amount of stretch and/or the duration of stretch.

With these discoveries in mind, the improved banding method of theinvention resides in stretching a dry regenerated cellulose band from aninitial circumference that is less than the banding circumference of thearticle to be banded to a circumference that is greater than saidbanding circumference, followed by release of the band for contractiononto the article, whether the article be a single item or a group ofitems. Due to the slow or delayed return of the dry band afterstretching, the band may conveniently be released either before or afterit is positioned about the article, i.e., the fingers or likeinstrumentalities employed for stretching the band may receive thearticle within their confines before stretching pressure is released,with the fingers being subsequently retracted, or stretching pressuremay first be released and the fingers retracted from the band with theband subsequently being positioned about the article manually,mechanically, or by virtue of gravity drop from the fingers over thearticle. Either practice is intended to be included within the hereinphrased method step of releasing the band for positioning about thearticle. Due further to the slow return or contraction of the dry band,it is necessary to accommodate the delayed action of the band incontracting onto the article. In this respect, reference is again madeto the portions of the return curves plotted in FIGURE 1 immediatelyfollowing release of the band. The initial return of the band, whilequite slow, occurs considerably more rapidly than the terminal return ofthe band, and usually takes place within about fifteen seconds afterrelease. In banding according to the method of the invention, it ispreferable to have the band set up quite firmly against the articlewithin this fifteen second period to facilitate factory handling of thebanded item or items shortly after banding, and the band will thereafterattain its final degree of tension to withstand the rough handling thatthe package will later receive in retail outlets. Thus, an appreciableperiod of time is afforded for positioning of the band about an item ora consolidated group of items to facilitate the banding operation, yetthe amount of time required for permitting the band to initially set upis sufiicienly short as to occasion no production problem even in modernhigh speed canning factories and the like.

Relative to the specific manner of practice of the method, it is to beappreciated from the foregoing that the band is to be stretched to nomore than about 150% of its initial circumference, and therefore, thatits initial circumference should be no less than about two-thirds of thebanding circumference of the article to be banded. In practice of theinvention on a commercial scale, however, it is preferred that theamount of stretch be restricted to about 20-25% of the initialcircumference of the band to maintain a safety factor relative to theelastic limit and breaking point of the cellulose and to avoidunnecessary prolongation of the stretching cycle. Also, since the returnof the band is somewhat greater than half the amount of stretch, it maybe stated that the amount of stretch should not be substantially greaterthan about twice the difference between the banding circumference of thearticle and the initial circumference of the band. Stated in anothermanner, the stretched circumference of the band should not besubstantially greater than the difference between twice the bandingcircumference and the initial circumference.

In handing, the amount of additional shrink to which the band would besubjected if not restricted in its contraction by the article to behanded is the determining factor in the degree to which the band istensioned and thus the amount of pressure exerted by the band on theitem or items. This pressure may be varied by varying the amount and/0rduration of stretch within the limits above defined. As a general rule,it may be stated that for a high banding pressure it is preferable thatthe band be subjected to a small fast stretch and for a low bandingpressure that it be subjected to a relatively large and/ or slow ordelayed stretch.

For example, in FIGURE 1, the point 1 represents the bandingcircumference of an article to be banded at high pressure by a band ofcircumference a. The band has an initial circumference greater thantwo-thirds of the banding circumference f, and preferably greater thanabout of the circumference f (i.e., such that a 25% stretch Will renderthe same larger than the circumference f). To band the article at highpressure, the band is rapidly stretched a relatively small amount ab andis immediately released to afford a short duration of stretch. The bandmay be placed around the article either before or after release from thestretching fingers, and after release will contract onto the article. Incommercial practice, the fast stretch is suitably effected in no lessthan about one second, as too fast a stretch, such as to impart impactto the band, may result in breaking of the band. The duration of stretchmust of course be somewhat proportional to the amount of stretch, butfor small amounts of stretch can safely be as little as one second.Assuming a one second stretch in the example given, the band may set upagainst the article at any .time during the following ten to fifteenseconds, but since high banding pressure is desired, the amount ofstretch is preferably effected to such extent that the band willinitially set up on the article shortly after release, thus to restrictcontraction of the band at a point where it has a high residual shrinkfactor, whereupon the band will exert a high pressure on the bandedarticle at the end of its stretch-shrink cycle. Also, this facilitatesfactory handling of the banded article for packaging within a very shorttime after the stretch-release cycle, whereby only a short dischargearea is required to the output side of the banding apparatus. Morespecifically, a banding machine for use in practice of the presentinvention may suitably comprise a plurality of separable fingers andmeans for separating and retracting the fingers, the machine requiringan area no more than about twenty-four inches wide and eighteen inchesdeep. The machine may suitably be set, in the example given, to stretchone band per second and to drop each stretched band over an item or agroup of items to be banded, which items or groups may in turnautomatically be fed step by step under the stretching fingers. Withsuch arrangement, a discharge table to the output side of the machinewould have to be of a length equal only to six or seven of the resultantpackages for the articles to be adequately banded for manual handling.Thus, the articles having a banding circumference may be banded at highspeed and great pressure according to the invention in a minimum amountof space and time and in complete accordance with modern mass productionmethods.

On the other hand, if an item or a group of items having a bandingcircumference g equal to the circumference f are to be banded at lowpressure, a band a of the same circumference as used in the precedingexample may again be employed. In this instance, however, the band issubjected to a slow stretch a-c or a delayed stretch abc of, say, aboutthree seconds duration, with the consequence that the band initiallysets up on the article more nearly adjacent the end of the initialreturn of the band at which point (g) the band has only a very slightamount of residual shrink and exerts, ultimately, only a slight or lowpressure on the banded article.

By way of example, if the circumferences f and g are each eighteeninches, the circumference a of the band may suitably be sixteen inches.For high pressure banding at point the band could suitably be stretchedto about nineteen to nineteen and one-half inches in about one second,whereupon it would be released for contraction onto the article andultimately set up a force thereon equivalent to residual shrink to acircumference less than seventeen and one-half to seventeen andthree-fourths inches. Due to the fast stretch, the return is actuallyconsiderably more than half the stretch, approximately about 75% asillustrated in FIGURE 1,. so that the actual residual strength would beto a circumference of about sixteen and three-fourths to sixteen andseveneighths inches. In the case of light pressure banding at g, theslow or delayed stretch of the band results in a proportionally smallerreturn so that the banding pressure would be equivalent to a residualshrink to a circumference only slightly less than seventeen and onehalfto seventeen and three-fourths inches, specifically about seventeen andone-fourth to seventeen and one-half inches with the curve ceillustrated in FIGURE 1. Alternatively, the decreased banding pressurecould be achieved by increase-d stretch to say about twenty to twentyand one-half inches, or by a combination of increased stretch andincreased duration of stretch.

As previously pointed out, the thickness of the band is also acontrolling factor in the amount of tension exerted by the band.However, the regenerated cellulose casings employed in the meat industryhave generally been supplied in only two thicknesses, namely, 2 mils and4 mils, and there has thus far in practice of this invention been noreason for departure from these two sizes. The thicker material hasproven successful for all applications to which the present inventionhas been put, and the thinner stock is well suited for low cost bandingof articles having a large banding circumference. It is also to beobserved that cellulose sausage casings are now manufactured in seamlesstubular form in a wide variety of diameters, which at least for thepresent, have satisfied the demands of the invention. In view of thisfact, it is ideal to employ seamless bands in practice of the invention,although the invention is not restricted to seamless bands.

Relative to use according to the invention of bands formed from fibrouscasings, it is observed that the characteristics thereof aresubstantially the same as above described, with the exception that theyare not generally capable of as much as 50% stretch. However, thefibrous bands can be stretched by about -25% and are, therefore,employed in the same manner previously defined as being preferable.Thus, both the straight cellulose and fibrous products are included inthe arm regenerated cellulose casings or bands as employed herein.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 to 5, a variety of multiple packages aretherein illustrated for purposes of exemplification of the uses to whichthe invention may be put. In FIGURE 2, two one-gallon cans of paint 10and 12 are shown as banded together in stacked relation by means of adry cellulose band 14 for unit handling by means of a conventionalhandle on the upper can. The band is suitably of a width equalapproximately to the height of one can and engages over approximatelyone-half the height of each can. In actual practice, the band 14 haspositively retained the cans in consolidated relation despite the mostsevere abuse to which the cans could be subjected. Unit identity of thecans is in no way diminished and the band serves as a carrier forspecial promotion advertising matter.

In FIGURE 3, two fragile or crushable items 16 and 18, such as a box ofcrackers and a glass of cheese spread, are shown as banded together by adry cellulose band 20. The band exerts sufficient pressure to hold thearticles firmly in consolidated relation, yet, due to application atrelatively large stretch and/or relatively long duration of stretch,does not exert such pressure as either to crush the box or break theglass. Unit identity of both the glass and box are preserved in theirentirety, and the band, due to its excellent reception of print, isideally suited to carry promotional advertising and information relativeto price.

Three identical cans or containers 22, 24 and 26 are shown in FIGURE 4as banded together in side by side relation by means of a band 28. Themultiple package illustrated also includes separating means 30 betweencontainers for protection of the same, especially when formed of glassor a like fragile material. Here again, the band intimately consolidatesthe items for conjoint handling and volume sale Without diminution ofunit identity and facilitates the provision of advertising literature.In addition, the band facilitates provision on the separator 30 ofhandles 32 extending above the items for convenient carrying of themultiple package. The handles are suitably articulated relative to theportions of the separators extending between the containers toaccommodate folding thereof flat againstthe top of the multiple packageso that several of the packages may conveniently be stacked for display.

For purposes essentially of illustration, the multiple package of FIGURE4 is also shown as including a premium 34, such as a knife, which isfirmly retained against pilferage with the remainder of the package bythe band 28.

Another modification of handle means for a multiple package isillustrated in FIGURE 5 wherein two cans 36 and 38 of the beaded rimtype, such as two one-quart beverage cans, are banded together with adry cellulose band 40 and equipped with a handle 42. In thismodificatron, the handle has a portion confined between the cans beneaththe upper beads thereof and is slotted as at 44, for passagetherethrough of the beads, whereby the beads positively retain thehandle in consolidated relation with the cans. This handle is alsopreferably formed to be folded flat against the top of one can tofacilitate stacking of a plurality of the multiple packages.

From these illustrations, it is to be appreciated that the presentinvention facilitates the provision of multiple packages of items of thesame or different shapes, sizes and character and firmly retains theitems in consolidated relation against separation and against pilferageWhether the items be light or heavy, rigid, crushable or fragile.

In addition to use in multiple packaging, the invention has significantusage in the banding of single items. For example, the bands may beemployed according to the invention for identification and/or protectionof an item. The bands have been used on hams to cover the aitchbone andthus protects the final wrapping and those handling the ham from thesharp bone. Also, the bands may be used to protect jewelry, such ascompacts and lipstick cases, from scratching. Thus, the invention isseen to have wide application.

In use, the band does not detract from or diminish unit package identitysince it only encompasses a portion of each item and is generallyemployed in partially or substantially wholly transparent or translucentform. This of course is not the only advantage. Due to the fact that thedry cellulose bands can readily be printed in one to five colors, theyenhance the package, both as a display items and as a promotion due totheir ability to carry directly any desired promotional material.Original art work and printing plates may also be made in economical,condensed form, since stretching of the band increases the type size tothat desired. Moreover, since even a printed band covers only a portionof the multiple pack, unit package identity is preserved.

In addition to the foregoing, the invention affords the advantage thatafter the stretch-shrink cycle, the band is considerably more resistantto shear consequent upon nicking and puncturing than before. Theincreased resistance, while not fully ascertainable, is apparently dueto reorientation of the molecules in the hand during stretching. This,of course, appreciably enhances the value of the band for the purposeherein described.

Despite their tenacity in engaging an article, the bands are readilysevered or cut so that they occasion no annoyance on the part of theperson opening the package. The band is opened more readily than devicesconventionally used for multiple packaging and afford the specificadvantage that they leave no residue on the banded article. Thesefactors also facilitate conversion of special promotion merchandise toregular merchandise after a promotion.

In commercial practice of the invention to date, manually fed bandstretching machines have facilitated banding of the articles at the rateof about twenty bands per minute. At this rate, output reaches nearlyten thousand packages per eight hour shift, a more than satisfactoryspeed for most applications. With automatic feed, speeds can, ashereinbefore noted, be increased to as much as sixty cycles per minute.This clearly illustrates the commercial practicality of the presentinvention. In addition, the consistent nature of the stretch-shrinkcharacteristics of dry regenerated cellulose bands permits applicationof the dry bands to substantially any packaging problem with completesurety.

As previously stated the moisture content of the stock and the bands cuttherefrom should be at least about 6% and preferably about 10% or more.The upper limit of the moisture content is about 25%; beyond this, thereis an undesirable change in the stretch characteristics of the band.

While the foregoing are believed to be the preferred manners ofpracticin the method of the invention, it is to be appreciated thatvarious changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A process for handing articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry pliable regenerated celluloseband having a plasticizer content of about 20 to and a moisture contentof about 6 to 25% rom an initial circumference that is less than thebanding circumference of the article but not less than about two-thirdsof said banding circumference, to a circumference greater than saidbanding circumference but not substantially greater than the differencebetween twice said banding circumference and said initial circumference,and not greater than about one and onehalf times said initialcircumference, positioning the band while stretched around the article,and releasing the band for relatively slow contraction onto the article.

2. A process for handing articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry plasticized regeneratedcellulose band having a moisture content of about 6 to 25% from aninitial circumference lib that is less than the banding circumference ofthe article but not less than about two-thirds of said bandingcircumference, to a circumference greater than said bandingcircumference but not substantially greater than the difference betweentwice said banding circumference and said initial circumference, and notgreater than about one and one-half times said initial circumference,and releasing the stretched dry band for positioning around the article,and for relatively slow contraction of the dry band onto the article.

3. A process for handing articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry plasticized regeneratedcellulose band having a moisture content of about 6 to 25 from aninitial circumference that is less than the banding circumference of thearticle but not less than about two-thirds of said bandingcircumference, to a circumference greater than said bandingcircumference but not substantially greater than the difference betweentwice said banding circumference and said initial circumference, and notgreater than about one and one-half times said initial circumference,releasing the dry band for positioning around the article, and forrelatively slow contraction of the dry band onto the article, andcontrolling the amount of pressure exerted on the article by the dryband by adjustment of the amount and duration of its stretch.

4. A process for banding articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry pliable regenerated celluloseband having a plasticizer content of about 20 to 25 and a moisturecontent of about 6 to 25%, from an initial circumference that is lessthan the banding circumference of the article but not less than abouttwo-thirds of said banding circumference, to a circumference greaterthan said banding circumference but not substantially greater than thedifference between twice said banding circumference and said initialcircumference and not greater than about one and onehalf times saidinitial circumference, releasing the dry band for positioning around thearticle, and for relatively slow contraction of the dry band onto thearticle, and controlling the amount of tension exerted on the article bythe dry band as a function of the thickness of the band.

5. A process for handing articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry pliable regenerated celluloseband having a plasticizer content of about 20 to 25 and a moisturecontent of about 6 to 25% from an initial circumference that is lessthan the banding circumference of the article but not less than abouttwo-thirds of said banding circumference, to a circumference that isgreater than the said banding circumference but not substantiallygreater than the difference between twice said banding circumference andsaid initial circumference and not greater than about one and one-halftimes said initial circumference, and releasing the dry band forpositioning around the article, and for relatively slow contraction ofthe dry band onto the article.

6. A process for handing articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry pliable regenerated celluloseband having a plasticizer content of about 20 to 25 and a moisturecontent of about 6 to 25 from an initial circumference that is less thanthe banding circumference of the article to a circumference that isgreater than said banding circumference but not substantially greaterthan one and one-half times the initial circumference, and releasing thedry band for positioning around the article, and for delayed contractionof the dry band onto the article.

7. A process for handing articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry plasticized regeneratedcellulose band having a moisture content of about 6 to 10% and having aninitial circumference that is less than the banding circumference of thearticle but not less than about two-thirds of said banding circumferenceto a circumference that is greater than said banding circumference, butnot substantially greater 1 1 than the difference between twice saidbanding circumference and said initial circumference and not greaterthan about one and one-half times said initial circumference, andreleasing the dry band for positioning around the article, and fordelayed contraction of the dry band onto the article.

8. A process for banding articles with dry regenerated cellulose bandscomprising the steps of stretching a dry pliable regenerated celluloseband having a plasticizer content of about 20 to 25% and a moisturecontent of about 6 to 10%, and having an initial circumference that isless than the banding circumference of the article but not less thanabout two-thirds of said banding circumference, to a circumference thatis greater than said banding circumference, but not substantiallygreater than the difference between twice said banding circumference andsaid initial circumference and not greater than about one and one-halftimes said initial circumference, releasing the dry band for positioningabout the article, and for delayed contraction of the dry band into firmengagement with the article, and controlling the amount of pressureexerted on the article by the dry band by adjustment of the amount ofstretch and the duration of the stretching cycle prior to release of thedry band.

9. A process for banding articles comprising the steps of stretching adry pliable band formed at least in part of regenerated cellulose, andhaving a plasticizer content of about to and a moisture content of about6 to 25 from an initial circumference that is less than the bandingcircumference of the article but not less than about 80% of the bandingcircumference of the article to a circumference that is greater thansaid banding circumference, but to an extent no greater than about twicethe difference between said initial circumference and said bandingcircumference and no greater than about 25 of said initialcircumference, and releasing the dry band for positioning about thearticle, and for delayed contraction of the dry band into firmengagement with the article.

10. A process for band-ing articles comprising the steps of stretching adry pliable band formed of cellulosic fibers impregnated with and heldtogether by regenerated cellu lose, and having a plasticizer content ofabout 20 to 25% and a moisture content of about 6 to 25%, from aninitial circumference that is less than the banding circumference of thearticle but not less than about 80% of the banding circumference of thearticle to a circumference that is greater than said bandingcircumference, but to an extent no greater than about twice thed'iiference between said initial circumference and said bandingcircumference and no greater than about 25 of said initialcircumference, and releasing the dry band for positioning about thearticle, and for delayed contraction of the dry band into firmengagement with the article.

11. A process for banding articles comprising the steps of stretching adry pliable band formed at least in part of regenerated cellulose andhaving a plasticizer content of about 2025% and a moisture content ofabout 6% to 10% from an initial circumference that is less than thebanding circumference of the article but not less than about of thebanding circumference of the article to a circumference that is greaterthan said banding circumference, but to an extent no greater than abouttwice the difference between said initial circumference and said bandingcircumference and no greater than about 25% of said initialcircumference, and releasing the dry band for positioning about thearticle, and for delayed contraction of the dry band into firmengagement with the article.

12. In a method of banding an article by stretching a dry, pliable bandformed at least in part of regenerated cellulose from an initialcircumference less than the banding circumference of the article to acircumference greater than said banding circumference, and placing thestretched band around the article for contraction thereon, the step ofreleasing said stretched band before the latter is positioned aroundsaid article.

13. In a method of banding an article by stretching a dry, pliable bandformed at least in part of regenerated cellulose from an initialcircumference less than the banding circumference of the article to acircumference greater than said banding circumference, and placing thestretched band around the article for contraction thereon, theimprovement which comprises controlling the amount of pressure exertedon said article by said band by adjustment of the amount and duration ofthe stretch of said band.

14. In a method of banding an article by stretching a dry, plasticizedband formed at least in part of regenerated cellulose and having amoisture content of about 6 to 25%, from an initial circumference thatis less than the banding circumference of the article but not less thanabout two-thirds of said banding circumference, to a circumferencegreater than said banding circumference but not substantially greaterthan the difference between twice said banding circumference and saidinitial circumference and not greater than about one and one-half timessaid initial circumference, and placing the stretched band around thearticle for contraction thereon, the improvement which comprisescontrolling the amount of pressure exerted on said article by said bandas a function of the thickness of said band.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,969,453 Churchill Aug. 7, 1934 2,236,936 Camp Apr. 1, 1941 2,279,339Peters Apr. 14, 1942 2,320,381 Picard et al. June 1, 1943 2,445,333Nichols July 20, 1948 2,512,490 Drisch June 20, 1950 2,581,561 Shaw Jan.8, 1952 2,882,660 Denton Apr. 21, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Simonds et al.:Handbook of Plastics, second ed., D. Van Nostrand C0., pages 552-557.(Copy available in Div. 17.)

